On Tuesday, November 19, 2024, the Supreme Court of Illinois reprimanded Attorney John F. Cloutier following a petition for reciprocal discipline initiated by the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission. This reprimand comes after the Supreme Court of Florida previously disciplined Cloutier.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of John F. Cloutier,” with case no. M.R.032406.
Cloutier was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1998 and in Florida in 2006 and received an admonishment from a Grievance Committee of the Florida Bar on November 7, 2018. The committee found that he had failed to comply with several court orders during divorce proceedings, which led to a finding of contempt against him.
The Florida disciplinary case was initiated after a complaint was filed by opposing counsel in Cloutier’s divorce case. The complaint alleged that Cloutier did not adhere to multiple court orders, prompting the court to issue an order of contempt and a writ of bodily attachment. Despite being notified of the complaint by the Florida Bar’s Attorney Consumer Assistance Program in May 2017, Cloutier did not respond to multiple requests for information from the Bar.
The Grievance Committee determined that Cloutier’s conduct violated several rules of professional conduct, specifically prohibiting attorneys from failing to respond to official inquiries and from violating the rules of professional conduct themselves. Despite the committee’s findings, Cloutier did not submit any responses or additional documentation throughout the investigation.
In light of these events, the Administrator of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission in Illinois filed a petition for reciprocal discipline against Cloutier, as permitted under Supreme Court Rule 763. This rule allows for attorneys disciplined in one jurisdiction to face similar consequences in another. Following the review of the case, the Illinois Supreme Court allowed the petition, formally reprimanding Cloutier for his actions.
The Disposition states:
“Petition by the Administrator of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission to impose reciprocal discipline pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 763. Allowed. Respondent John F. Cloutier, who has been disciplined in the State of Florida, is reprimanded in the State of Illinois.”
According to avvo.com, Mr. Cloutier is a real estate attorney in Chicago, Illinois. He attended the Duquesne University School of Law, graduating in 1998. He acquired his law license in Illinois in 1998.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
